Alright, I know I left you guys off hanging there, but luckily for you, I had time to finish the chapter that basically wraps up their journey completely. Hope you guys like it, and hope it feels complete.
Chapter 31: The Gift of Mortality
The wind died down and the cloth died with it. The gunshots were traded, and now there was only silence. She was numb for a moment. It took Zi three whole seconds to realize that she was still breathing. It took another five to realize that Tsau was not dead. Zi felt places on her body, but nothing. Tsau missed? He was still standing, too. She missed, as well. Now out of bullets, she watched Tsau.
He dropped his gun and reached for his shuriken at his belt. Twirling it in his hands and cocking himself into a throwing position, the Falcon was ready to finish her off and complete his mission as the Fifth Servant. But, unfortunately, he dropped the shuriken to the ground, much to his surprise. His hand was numb and weak. Tsau slowly shut his eyes for a minute and took a breath. Breathing was harder than ever. Taking in that odd moment, his mind thought for an extra second. Then a realization washed over him and he did not know what to think.
Zi flinched, but saw that he had dropped the shuriken. Tsau looked like he was in a trance, but he came back to reality and took hard breaths. Then she saw it. Underneath his jacket, he opened it slightly and saw the blood spreading outwards, staining his shirt and outfit. Tsau looked down in slight thought. After, he walked close to the edge and sat down on the dock, letting his feet drop to the water below. The Falcon stared out towards the sea, then hung his head low.
Elizabeth peeked from behind the crates and eventually stepped out. Zi tilted her head sideways in an attempt to see Tsau's face. She walked over next to him and sat down with him.
"There's…some medication on the Pearl," she informed. "We could—we could help…"
He looked up to the sea, thinking of everything that had happened so far. "Hey, Izzi."
She stared at him with a soft expression. He was thinking of the very thing he was asked before his departure from Aswad Mohit.
"What do you think of fate?" he asked her.
Surprised, she thought of her answer. "I think…we are only in control as much as our mind lets us."
Tsau kept silent. A feeling of sympathy grew within her, making her question whether this moment was real or not. Time was slow…or was it pausing? The irritation inside her ceased her talking, but her mind would not allow it.
"You always had a choice," she managed to say.
He thought silently.
"I had no choice," Tsau asserted. "It was my duty."
But that wasn't what he really meant. Even in the last moments of his life he denied himself. Normally, she would be bitter, but this Tsau was different. He wasn't predatory; he wasn't the cynical, pessimistic Tsau that she had known. Somehow, his tone felt right, though melancholy.
Before she could say anything, he cut her off.
"I'm sorry," he said sincerely. "You're right…I always had a choice. My circumstances limited those choices. I guess I was too driven for my own salvation. A fitting end."
Bitterly, she turned away slightly with a racing mind and a startled body. Why was Tsau so calm? Elizabeth stood behind them, but decided not to interrupt these last moments.
She was concerned for his health, because the blood was spreading. "Tsau, you're dying. Let me help. It doesn't have to be this way."
He shook his head. "It's already too late."
Zi's eyes watered up and her face was turning red.
"Don't cry," Tsau found himself saying. His tone was straightforward as always, but had a sense of comfort and gentleness, which was much an alien feeling. He caressed her cheek as she turned to him and expressed a soft face. "There's always something else out there for everyone."
She held back a sob. "Tsau, I don't know if I can…"
"Yes you can," he ensured. "Life is about adaptation, remember? Even the strongest of predators must face their dying moment. This is my peace now. It's my time to rest. You're still young and will always be. You still have a lifetime to live…so move on…and find newer things; meet newer people. Live for this."
He was burning his last few seconds. The strength of maintaining his consciousness was slipping.
"Zi," Tsau said. His vision was failing; blurring. "I don't care what has happened to me; what I've become. I just want you to know that I'm glad I saw you again. And that's all I'm thankful for. You've taught me so much…and reminded me of what we all must live for. Thank you."
Tsau wanted to say more, and he tried his hardest to say his last words.
"The only thing…" he started. "…I ask for…is that you find something redeemable in me, and remember me for it. Remember me. I, who stood here and fought off Zhao and Nesirus. I, who carried the burden. I…who had nothing…"
Somehow she understood him this time. The life he led, the choices he made: this was his own personal hell. This was his freedom; the true Flight of the Falcon. Tsau fell backwards and rested on his back.
She looked over him and sat on her knees next to him. "Tsau…!? Tsau? Stay with me!"
At close proximity, Tsau managed to exhale one breath. "Nothing is absolute; everything is plausible…"
Silence.
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Into the late afternoon, the navy and the pirates called it a day, clearing out the docks and hoping to return home. The Pearl and the Dutchman docked back at Shipwreck Cove, with sounds of rejoicing and partying following their arrival. Zi even found herself smiling, though her reaction was bittersweet. On an outside courtyard, Jack held the dagger in one hand and the chest in the other.
"Ladies and gents!" he started off. "Let us witness the majesty and the power of this dagger and chest!"
Elizabeth and Will stood to the side with their son. He rubbed his chest and was glad that his heart was back inside him again, but only the Angel of Death will give the final verdict on who will be free or not. Zi stood with them.
Jack placed the dagger into the chest and set the chest down, hurrying over some cover in fear that it would explode or something threatening. Moments passed, and nothing happened. Minutes were drawn with question. If nothing happened, then how would souls pass through? The anxiety was deepening and growing at the lack of any spiritual presence.
As Jack's patience ran its last bit of fuel, the opening of the crowd caused him to look over while the sound of footsteps broke the silence. A dark, robed figure stepped out into the middle of the courtyard where the chest stood. It carried a body on its shoulders and set it down carefully. From the distance, Zi noticed that it was Tsau's body. They were planning to bury it soon, but how did it find the body? The robed figure stood there and waited for a second before it spoke.
"Centuries ago," it started in a divinely deep voice. "A normal man tampered with the business of death. And in doing so, I was imprisoned. As you know, servants were assigned, businesses built, and a new traveler of both worlds had to be established. I am here to reclaim my original place in eternity."
It kneeled down and opened the chest with the dagger inside. The Angel of Death reached for the dagger and held in with both hands. In surprising strength, it snapped the dagger in half and it turned into dust just as the Necromortalis did. The chest, too, turned into dust and disappeared.
It stood back up. "And so ends this uncomfortable era. But…there will be other problems out there, children. Especially involving you, Mrs. Turner, and your friends. I probably won't see you for awhile, and I don't expect to see you anytime soon, if ever. All you must do is to never disclose your immortality to anyone else again, but it won't matter."
Will stepped forward in question. "What do you mean 'it won't matter'? Is my immortality unchanged?"
"You remain immortal for some reason," it stated. "But, I'm sure it will be done away with soon. I cannot predict the future, young ones, but I have a hunch that your state will not last long. Unnecessary immortality is always a nuisance for us."
"And what are you doing with Tsau?" Zi asked.
"I am taking him across first. He deserves to rest," it answered. "His body will be cremated in Aswad, in the church where his priest friend resides."
She smiled and looked down. "Tell him we'll miss him."
"I don't think it needs to be said," it spoke. "Goodbye, children. I must return to my duties. I've a lot of work to complete. I hope we do not meet again for a long time."
With that, the Angel of Death, who was surprisingly subtle to Jack and the others (they expected someone flashier), picked Tsau back up and in that instant, burst out both of its fine, smooth black wings. Even with little updraft, it sprung into the sky and disappeared, leaving spectators in awe.
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"Are you sure you don't wish to stay?" Teague asked Elizabeth the next morning. "You are the Pirate King, miss."
Elizabeth shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I've a family to raise and be with. You can look over these young brave-hearts."
"Then have a joyous and prosperous life, Captain Elizabeth Turner," he bowed. "Your ship, The Empress, awaits."
Flattered by his nobleness, she smiled and nodded. "Thank you."
Elizabeth walked out of the great room and out to the docking area. It was finally good to go home and enjoy the peace. Along the way, she stopped in her steps right as she passed Jack Sparrow, who was oddly in a state of thought, sitting on the wood railing over the water.
"Mr. Sparrow," she said teasingly. "In a melancholy mood? My, this is a sight to behold."
"I'm afraid the line starts around the cove, darling," he replied, looking at her. "If you want your time with Captain Sparrow, you must wait like every other woman. No freebies."
"You could at least be as noble as your father," she grinned tolerantly at his response. "Why so calm, Jack?"
"The immortality won't last long," Jack stated truthfully.
"But…" she started off walking up behind him and playfully massaging his shoulders. "You have the Dutchman and the Pearl in your grasp now. You can finally be introduced as Commodore Jack Sparrow."
Jack shook his head, his dreadlocks flying around as he did so. "I'm afraid Hector and I cut a deal. He's gone now, with the Dutchman."
"I'm sorry, Jack," she said to him, lightly slapping his cheek as if he were a child. "But…the best thing about legends is that they die. That is what makes a legend. So, one day there will be a Legend of Jack Sparrow, who helmed the Black Pearl in the waters of the Caribbean."
He lifted his arm and put his hat back on top of his bandanna-covered head. "No matter, darling. If what you say is true, then a captain I shall remain!" Jack was back to his loud and normal self. "Plus, 'captain' has a better ring to it. I'll see you later, Ms. Turner. Tell dear William 'You're welcome'."
Jack began to walk away. "Jack! Will you visit us again?"
"One of these days, love!" he shouted, getting on the Pearl nearby. "One of these days."
Elizabeth waved as Jack sailed away in the Black Pearl, riding off into the horizon like a true pirate. Turning around to face The Empress, formerly captained by Sao Feng, she saw her family waiting for her.
"Elizabeth?" a voice asked behind her.
She turned around and saw Zi standing shyly. "I thought you went with Jack. Are you not?"
"I, um…well," she started off. "I don't really have a place to go anymore. I don't feel like returning home, either."
Elizabeth giggled and took advantage of the situation. "Go ahead, ask it. I dare you."
Zi cringed. "…may I come with you to Port Royal?"
She reached over and hugged Zi. "Of course you can. Just put your stuff in the lower cabins."
The Chinese woman grinned broadly. "Already have."
With Zi already heading towards the boat, Elizabeth looked at her husband, who was up at the helm. She rushed up to the deck and up the stairs to greet him with a kiss. Taken by surprise, Will returned his passion and stared into her eyes.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too," she replied, but then lightly shoved him off the wheel. "But this is my ship."
Will felt a shocked rejection and he gestured with confusion. "Wha-! Come on!"
"Hoist the colors, men!" she shouted to the crewmembers. "I want those sails up fast!"
Zi ran up to the helm with Bill and they joined Will and Elizabeth. Along with them was Bootstrap, who embraced his son, happy to have his family back. As the ship sailed out of Shipwreck Cove, Zi somehow knew what Tsau wanted so badly. She could feel it, somewhere deep in her gut; that sense of freedom and carefree feeling. Was this what he stood to fight for? This feeling of freedom, family, and belonging? This whole journey to free the Angel of Death was staggering, but somehow she knew that maybe it wasn't the Angel of Death they were trying to free. Maybe it was Tsau. Tsau was the Angel of Death waiting to be freed. With that thought, she smiled a bittersweet smile. This moment was for him.
And so ends their part of the journey.
But wait! There's one more chapter I'm going to submit. Stay tuned. Hehe.